When you think of dipping things in hot wax you likely dont think about balloons. It seems the balloons would pop and leave you with quite a mess. It seems that way, right? Not so. You can easily dip balloons in wax, and when you do, you can create elegant candle holders for a wedding, shower, holiday party or another occasion. Its easy to make the candle holders in most any color you want and you can use them over and over again.
Although new methods of making candles are much easier and less messy than the old way youll have to resort to the old way to make balloon candles. So, get a pot of water boiling on the stove and place a second pot on top of it. Place the wax pieces in the top pan and allow them to melt. Use candle-making dye or even broken crayons to color the wax. If you have a candy thermometer use it and keep the temperature at about 180 degrees Fahrenheit. The wax will need to be fairly deep to make the candles. As you work with the balloon later you might need to add extra wax to the pot. However, for now, dont fill the pan more than halfway full of wax. If you do it could overflow when you lower the balloons into the wax.
Fill a small balloon with warm water and tie a knot to secure. Hold the balloon by the knot and dip it into the wax. Pay attention while dipping the balloon and dont allow the wax to rise up higher on the balloon than the water line. If the wax reaches a place on the balloon which is higher than the water the balloon will pop. Lift the balloon out of the wax and allow it to begin hardening. Dip the balloon again and allow the excess to drip back into the pan. Continue doing this until the wax is about a quarter-inch thick. Upon lifting the balloon out for the last time, and allowing the excess to drip off, set the still-warm balloon on a hard surface. A cookie sheet covered in wax paper or a piece of wax paper lying on a table works great. Set the balloon down but continue holding it by the knot. This will create a flat bottom for the candle. Now dip the balloon again - even a couple more times - to finish. The wax, in the end, should be between a quarter-inch and a half-inch thick. Now set the still-warm candle back on the paper or cookie sheet to set. After the wax is completely cool and set youll then hold it over the sink and pop the balloon. Allow all the water to drain out and remove the bits and pieces of the balloon from inside the candle. Youll notice that the top edges of the new candle holder are uneven. There are several ways to fix this. One is to warm a cookie sheet up in the oven for a few minutes then hold the candle while placing the mouth of it on the cookie sheet. Another way is to hold a warmed piece of metal (a nail file, a nail) with a potholder as you go around the lip of the candle holder and smooth out the edges. Place a tea light, a votive in a glass container or even a battery-operated candle inside each candle holder. Set them on shelves, tables, mantles, deck or porch railings or even on the dining room table. Hang them by making an easy wire hanger. After the candle holder is completed use a hot nail to poke a hole in opposite sides of it. Dont make the holes really close to the top; go down an inch or so. String thin, pliable wire through each hole and bring the four ends together above the candle holder. Twist them together then twist them around a brass ring or similar item. Hang on tree branches, fences, nails or even a garden flag post. You can make the balloon candle holders even more impressive by using stencils and paint markers to make patterns and images around the outside or even around the lip of the candle holder. With the markers available in metallic shades of gold and silver, or pearl-like colors of pink, green and blue, you have many options for the way the finished candle holders will look. Use them at your next garden party or just make some to set around the house. The lights are so beautiful; they give a whole new meaning to the word "ambiance"!
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